Second Sunday of Advent, 2018

John the Baptist was a messenger sent to prepare the people to receive the message of Jesus. When Jesus came, He moved among the people proclaiming the Kingdom in their midst. John the Baptist was beheaded as Herod did not want to listen to him. Jesus was crucified because the people did not want to hear his message about God's compassionate love.

Today, December 9th, is also the Feast of Juan Diego, a humble peasant who was sent by Our Lady of Guadalupe to the Mexican Bishop with a message to build a Church in her honor. The Bishop refused Juan Diego several times until the Virgin sent him with a sign of her image imprinted on his cloak. Millions of Mexican Indians were converted after her appearance to Juan Diego.

Who are our messengers? How do they prepare our hearts to put Jesus in the center of our lives? How are you a missionary disciple helping your family, your neighbors, and your co-workers to embrace the message of Jesus' presence among us?

Let us pray today that we may accept the invitation to be messengers of peace and hope.